The Sexy Magic of Long Layered Hairstyles

What You Need to Know About Styles That Are Long On Both Length and Layers

Perhaps you’re just worried your locks have become more plain and boring than sexy and head turning.

Well, here’s how to bring those long tresses to life with layers and layers of definition and depth. Giving your mane boundless stacks of body and bounce in the process.

Fact is for many long locks rule. I get that.

Yet you may want to forget hair that is one boring mono length when lush layers loaded with texture and movement are way more cooler.

I mean doesn’t it seem that layers and long hair were meant to go together? You get a flirtatious look that has loads of volume, texture and versatility. Not to mention you can use layers to create shape and add drama that gives you a look that is both stylish and is actually pretty low maintenance considering.

But you knew that already, right? Well, the news is you don’t have to be a fashion diva to pull it off. Here’s what you’re about to discover about this beguiling hairstyle for longer locks.

The Secrets Behind the Magic

Advantages – Top Seven Reasons We Love Long Layered Styles

VIDEO: Cutting Sexy Layers At Home

Drawbacks – Why Some Should Approach Layers with Caution

Styling Tips and Tricks

For starters if you’re curious here’s a …

Behind the Scenes Peek at the Salon Wizardry That Makes Layers Happen

Well not exactly – but insanely sexy layers don’t just happen. It takes a bit of knowhow and salon wizardry to make them happen. Your tresses have to be cut in the right places in the right way. But if pulled of right, the results are almost Disney magical.

Layering Defined: The big idea is to add variable lengths of hair throughout an existing cut to add definition, movement and volume.

Care must be taken not to overdo the layers. Because rather than adding volume it can actually make your lush locks look thinner. Something no one wants.

While those with rounder faces seeking layers around the face should avoid any that fall too much above their chins.

Anyway here’s a video that shows some things your stylist might be thinking about when layering your long hair.

Yes this video is geared towards stylists. But you can still get an idea of how the process of layering long hair works. I thought it was good to be reminded that layers can help remove some of the weight that comes from hair that is all one long length.

Okay so who doesn’t love lists? Here’s an awesome list of the top nine reasons to love hair styled like this.

Top Nine Reasons We Love Long Layered Styles

Reason #1: Long layered hair is super sexy. That’s all you need to know, really. Adding layers is super simple yet can be like a mini makeover in a way. One that brings even more life to longer hair.

Reason #2: Subtle layers are a great way to bulk up fine strands so they appear thicker. While those blessed with thick hair will find layering can take the heaviness out and make your mane more manageable.

Reason #3: Yet no one is saying you need to go crazy with the layers. In fact super fine haired ones would be well advised to avoid them because if done wrong the results can be thinning. Just not in a good way. But done right, layers can be transformational.

Reason #4: Flattering layers added around your face can almost Photoshop-like camouflage those little flaws you see with your face when you look in the mirror. For example they can soften prominent jaw lines. Or they can add the appearance of width to a narrow face or length to a round one. It’s almost like someone sprinkled fairy dust and a new, prettier you appears out of the mist, errr, I mean hair.

Reason #5: This stylish approach cranks up the volume where you need it most. Giving you a feminine look few can beat. It’s hard to imagine how such a simple thing like adding a variety of lengths can produce such a vibrant yet easy to style look.

Reason #6: Yet the tradeoff for face framing layers is not high maintenance hair. In fact, if done right, the layered look will hold up well even as your hair grows out over time. (And if you’ve ever fought with bangs growing out you know what a pain that growing out stuff can be at times.)

Reason #7: You can also amp up the swing factor especially if you order up face flattering layers. You hair will suddenly enjoy major movement you never knew it had. And it will fall back into place effortlessly. And we both know this is the kind of hair that can put men in a trance without even trying.

Reason #8: Layers make a long haircut more versatile. Oh and before I forget the location of the part in your hair can make drastic differences in your appearance as well. Choosing the part your hair at an angle or on the opposite side of the natural part can give the appearance of a totally new you.

Reason #9: Best of all you can get shape to your style without sacrificing any of the length you worked so hard to grow.

If you’ve yet to dip into the layered end of the pool then maybe these advantages will convince you now is the time.

Now some daring girls are willing to pick up the scissors and cut in their own layers. If that might be you then now’s the time to perk up.

DIY: Cutting Sexy Layers At Home

Say you, like the savvy presenter in this video, don’t want to, for whatever reason, depend on a stylist to cut your layers around your face. Maybe you don’t have time. Or your hair grows fast. Whatev.

Anyhow if you want to take a more hands-on approach perhaps you can pick up a layering DIY tip or two from this helpful video.

I believe you’ll find it reveals exactly how to get a fun, flirty sexy layered look around your face. Which might be good to know since as you know such a look can help shape your face plus add a bit of bouncy movement to your hair – which we can never have too much of.

Best of all it’s not hard. All it takes is a bit of confidence with a little know how and viola, a lovely layered look. So let’s roll it…

Terrific’s Takes:

Okay so you will need a quality leave in conditioner to apply to your damp hair. Kinky Curly Knot Today is the product of choice here. (There are likely others that will work too.) The idea is to work it through your damp locks so that the conditioner will protect your mane from breakage as you comb through.

TIP: Remember to do the comb through starting at the bottom and working your way to the crown of your head. That comb thru technique, by the way, is another breakage buster.

Next you want to find your natural part line. Why? Because your layers will fall naturally around your face from there.

From there use your hair cutting scissors, not the ones from the junk drawer used to cut who knows what, and commence layering.

Using your comb select the section of hair to cut, make it smooth and flat, turn it outward, and cut downward. The idea is to cut downward at an angle. You want to snip bits of hair off at a time. Taking this go slow approach all but insures you won’t make a mistake and cut off too much in the wrong place.

Done right when you release the hair from your fingers you’ll be able to see the tapered layer.

Now if you’re right handed the real test comes when you have to hand the scissors over to your left hand. In this case you don’t want to turn your layer outward, just cut the layer and focus on the downward clipping angle.

Next step is to evaluate your work. Run your hands thru the layers on both sides. You want see if they feel and look even. The hair should naturally taper into your longer locks in the back.

Finally when it comes to styling the suggested product is Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Hair Serum to be used as a heat protectant when blow drying. But there is nothing special about that one necessarily. Any heat protectant serum should work just fine.

The final step is to fire up the ceramic curling iron and curl outward to get a bouncy motion away from your face.

Viola. Layers to love that set off your face with bouncy fullness.

Yet….

Why Some Should Approach Layers with Caution

Healthy hair is a must for the layered look to look it’s best. No surprise there. Since as you know the health of your mane can have a big effect on the way any type of cut will look.

This is all the more so when you’re cutting in layers left and right.

So if you can’t claim your hair is at the head of the class when it comes to overall health, you may first want to work on that before having your stylist work in the layered look.

You may have heard that you’ll need to stock up on styling products. Yeah it’s true. Often long layered hairstyles tend to demand more styling products to keep the layers in line like they should be all day long. Small price to pay though, don’t you think?

Then too, if you want to keep your hair shiny and smooth it’s a good idea to deep condition more often. At least once a week might not be a bad idea.

Sadly girls with curls may be left out of the fun. Honestly, this may not be the best bet for hair that curls. Fact is layers and curly hair do not play well together. Sorry. Besides curls and long hair don’t necessarily get along that well to begin with, now do they?

Finally you may have to take a crash course on dealing with the added attention that comes from sporting a mane that rates high on the cool meter. You know one that makes you feel more daring and cutting edge. Okay not truly a disadvantage but something to be aware of none the less.

Which brings us to…

Styling Tips and Tricks

Solid hair colors combined with layered hair are okay. But sometimes that can come off looking flat. Solution? Add highlights to your layers to add depth and a touch of elegance to your hairstyle.

Then if you grow tired of the style of long layered hair here’s an idea. Bangs. They are a great way to change things up a bit. Your length is untouched yet your styling time is more or less limited to the fringe — meaning you can let the rest be itself. So if you are looking to bring a bit of fresh intrigue to your hair, why not bangs?

This is a versatile look that lends itself to experimentation with hot rollers and the direct application of your curling iron. That’s right. These styling tools make it easy add definition and more body to your hair. Enhancing the look without hardly trying.

Swingy, sexy, long layered locks never go out of style. They are easy to wear and easy to care for. Best of all they are an easy way to acquire hair goddess status with your friends. Or worse make them hair envious of your oh so sexy locks.

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About Tori

Tori is a recovering shoe addict and aspiring beach bum with a devotion to all things chocolate. Her goal is to make TerrificTresses your online destination for all things hair. Whether it’s ideas to keep things stylish and chic or answers to nagging hair care problems, you’ll find it here. You might look at as your irregular dose of hair care inspiration. Oh and you can find me on GooglePlus too.